Director of Leadership Programs

Ian Palmquist is Director of Leadership Programs for Equality Federation, the national strategic partner to state-based organizations working to win equality in the communities we call home. His top priorities are building strong state leaders, strengthening the movement in the South, and winning safe and just school policies.

Ian previously spent twelve years at Equality North Carolina, including five as Executive Director. He led the successful campaign to pass the School Violence Prevention Act, the first LGBT-inclusive law in state history and the first statute to include protections for the transgender community in the South. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he received his Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Ian lives in Raleigh, NC, where he shares his life with his partner of thirteen years, Brad Oaks, and their two dogs.